Why hasn't the Lord returned yet?

 

Why hasn't the Lord returned yet? 

Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father, with all the angels, and he will repay each person according to their deeds.

Revelation 22:12 Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will repay each person according to what they have done.

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we all must stand before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what he deserves, whether good or evil, in the body.

2 Timothy 4:8 From now on, a crown of righteousness is reserved for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Revelation 22:20 And those who testify to these things say, “Yes, I am coming soon! Amen.” Lord Jesus, come! 

Category	Why hasn't the Lord returned yet?
Meaning	The Lord’s delay in returning is not slowness, but for the fulfillment of God’s eternal economy—to gain the Body and the Bride of Christ.
Cause	1. The Bride is not yet prepared 2. The Body is not yet built up 3. Believers are not yet mature in life 4. Lack of fellowship and oneness 5. God is still dispensing Himself into His people
Symbolism	1. Marriage (Bridegroom waiting for the bride) 2. Farming (growth unto maturity) 3. Body (corporate building) 4. Building (God’s dwelling place)
Explanation	The Lord’s “coming quickly” is according to God’s time, not human perception. God is patiently working to mature His people.
Effect	1. Produces watchfulness 2. Encourages growth in life 3. Builds up the Body 4. Inspires longing for His appearing
Purpose	1. Gain a glorious Church 2. Obtain a prepared Bride 3. Establish the Kingdom 4. Execute judgment and renewal
Examples	1. John’s prayer: “Lord Jesus, come!” (Rev. 22:20) 2. Paul loving His appearing (2 Tim. 4:8) 3. Faithful servants watching (Matt. 24)
Application	1. Live a watchful prayer life 2. Pursue life maturity 3. Enter into Body life (fellowship) 4. Minister life to others
Burden	Do not blame the Lord’s delay; rather, hasten maturity and build up the Body of Christ.
Prophetic Guidance	“The Lord’s coming is not delayed by time, but by the lack of the Bride’s maturity.”
Conclusion	The Lord’s return depends on the maturity and building of the Church—maturity of life determines readiness for His coming.
Scriptures	Rev. 22:7, 20; 2 Tim. 4:1–8; Matt. 24:48; Eph. 4:16; Rev. 19:7

 

🔹 Spiritual Inner Structure

Level	Problem	Result	Cause of Delay
Personal Life	Immaturity	Cannot be the Bride	Delay
Spiritual Living	Lack of watchfulness	No readiness	Delay
Body Life	Individualism, division	No building	Delay
Fellowship	Lack of divine fellowship	No reality of the Body	Delay
Corporate Church	Not yet the Bride	Cannot receive the Lord	Delay

 

🔹 Integrated Spiritual Insight (Key Point)

The Lord’s return is not a matter of time, but of life and building.

• God’s work → Dispensing life
• Believers’ responsibility → Grow unto maturity
• Church’s goal → Become the Bride
• Final outcome → The Lord’s return

👉 “His quick coming depends on our maturity.”

🔹 Prophetic One-Sentence Summary

“The Lord’s coming is not delayed by time, but by the Bride’s lack of maturity; when life matures, He appears immediately.”

🔹 Ultimate Conclusion

• The Lord will come quickly (in God’s time)
• The Lord has not yet come (due to the Church’s condition)
• The speed of His return is proportional to the believers’ maturity

👉 Not that the Lord is slow, but that we are not yet ready.

🔹 Practical Directions

1.      Love His appearing (2 Tim. 4:8)

2.      Live a watchful prayer life (Matt. 24)

3.      Pursue growth in life (Eph. 4:16)

4.      Live in the fellowship of the Body (oneness and building)

 

*Please refer to the 2025 Winter Training: Experiencing, Enjoying, and Manifesting Christ (Part Four), Chapter Twelve: Christ Will Come to Punish and Reward, to Shine a Lamp in Darkness, and to Reveal Himself in Secret to His Overlords Like the Morning Star.